29 September 2006

American Cancer Society University graduate and Stephanie H. Lane grant recipient Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu has launched a breast cancer awareness website (www.brecan.org) for women and health care professionals in Nigeria. A breast cancer survivor, Akeredolu used her ACSU training and funding to staff and expand her breast cancer call center, and to raise breast cancer awareness among "market women" through pilot site promotions in Nigeria. The website will complement Akeredolu’s efforts to promote breast cancer awareness among women; promoting regular breast self-examination and encouraging symptomatic women to seek immediate attention from health professionals. The website also enlists members and generates financial support for the Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria.

California Division volunteer Kaz Iwamoto joined the Japan Cancer Society in its kick-off event for Relay For Life in Tsukuba, Japan. Survivors, families, caregivers, and community volunteers joined together to celebrate the Japan’s first Relay For Life. Entertainment included local musicians, bands, and dancers. Top officials who spoke at the opening ceremony included the Deputy Prefectural Governor, Mayor of Tsukuba, the Director of National Cancer Center, and the head of the Japan Cancer Society. For the luminaria ceremony, the Japanese added their own cultural touch with candles floating in water inside small cups. The participants and Japan Cancer Society are planning additional Relay For Life trainings and events in 2007.

28 September 2006

Gea Broekema, Director of Fundraising for the Dutch Cancer Society with NY Ambassador

The Society hosted 20 International Relay "Ambassadors" from Relay For Life partner countries to attend and participate in the Society's Celebration on the Hill activities. These unique “Ambassadors” also took part in special trainings to learn about cancer advocacy and strategy. Chief Executive Officers and executive leadership from 11 international cancer organizations witnessed this historic event and received training from NGRD staff and Society volunteers Phylecia Wilson, Gary Streit, and Bob Mackay. This unique opportunity will enable cancer organization representatives from Bolivia, Canada, France, Honduras, India, Ireland, Malaysia, The Netherlands, the Philippines, South Africa, and the United Kingdom to further their cancer control mission.

Dr. Geraldine Padilla (center, in blue dress) and Diana Vaca (third from right) with leaders of the Philippine Cancer Society.

California Division volunteer Dr. Geraldine Padilla and Diana Vaca, Senior Manager of the International Partners Program, recently traveled to the Philippines to meet with Mindo Fajardo and Roberto Paterno, the executive director and board chairman, respectively, of the Philippine Cancer Society (PCS). The meeting included assessment of the PCS Liver Cancer Committee’s advocacy and education efforts and discussions about Dr. Padilla’s research in the Philippines sponsored by the Fulbright program. Dr. Padilla’s 2007 Fulbright Fellowship research examines knowledge, beliefs and attitudes about hepatitis B virus (HBV), its role as the primary cause of liver cancer, and the importance of vaccinating Filipino newborns against HBV. The ACS delegation attended a press conference for the PCS Liver Cancer Committee where opening remarks were delivered by the Honorable Pia S. Cayetano, a Filipino Senator who lost his father to cancer. Senator Cayetano has sponsored important legislation to facilitate a live donor liver transplantion program in the Philippines. The press conference was attended by the Honorable Francisco T. Duque II, Philippines Minister of Health, and Dr. Ruben C. Flores, director general of Jose Fabella Hospital in Manila. The ACS delegation also visited several community centers providing HBV vaccination, identified best practices and current barriers to HBV vaccination, and assessed hepatitis treatment and medical management guidelines.

14 September 2006

The Illinois Division recently hosted a reception to honor Dr. John Kapoor for his generous gift of $275,000 to expand the Society's India Initiative. A portion of this donation ($175,000) will be allocated as a challenge grant to raise matching funds for the Society's programs in India. Stephen F. Sener, MD, immediate past president of the Society, and Malcolm Bilimoria, an Illinois Division volunteer told a group of prominent Indian leaders from Chicago how important the India programs are to fighting cancer in India and to increasing knowledge and improving targeted cancer control programs for the Indian community in the United States. As a result of Dr. Kapoor's generous gift, the Illinois Division has hosted Vandana Gupta from V Care as an International Partners Program Fellow. For the past three months, Gupta has participated in every aspect of the Division's operations, meeting with members of the local Indian and cancer control community in Chicago. This knowledge and cultural exchange will benefit Gupta's cancer control programs in India and also strengthen the Society's efforts to more efficiently engage Asian Indian constituents here in the United States.

13 September 2006

Patients Waiting for Cancer Screening in Khayelitsha Clinic Outside of Capetown, South Africa

In late August, the American Cancer Society convened cancer control leaders from five African nations in Capetown, South Africa, to conduct a first-ever needs assessment of the cancer burden and available resources across select regions in Africa. Representatives from South Africa, Zimbabwe, Senegal, Ghana, and Tanzania joined together for a two-day session to discuss the most pressing cancer control needs in Africa, to highlight existing cancer control resources, and to explore collaborative opportunities to elevate cancer as a priority on the health agenda on a local, regional, and global level. The meeting included representatives from The Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA), the African Organization for Resources and Training in Cancer (AORTIC), hospital-based cancer control leaders, and a Pfizer Global Health Fellow who is providing Africa-focused project management support to the Society and AORTIC. The group discussed opportunities for strengthening cancer control capacity, building infrastructure and resources, and also developed key messaging to communicate these cancer priorities to regional and global audiences. The interactive team-building exercises and group discussions generated critical feedback that will inform a comprehensive African cancer control strategy being developed over the next year. Key issues that emerged from these meetings that will be explored more fully include the need for cancer registries, national cancer control plans, cervical cancer programs, advocacy development and training, HIV/AIDS-cancer coordinated opportunities, human resource ("brain drain") challenges and collaborative opportunities with key global organizations, such as International Network for Cancer Treatment and Research (INCTR) and World Health Organization.

01 September 2006

Mid-South Division volunteer Gina Myracle joined with International Relay For Life® training staff Iris Pendergast and Darnelle Bernier to conduct a training for the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA). Twenty volunteers and six regional and field staff from the Free State Province, the Western Cape Province, the North West Province and the Gauteng Province in South Africa attended the training. The next Relay For Life event - South Africa’s second - is scheduled for February 2007 in Oudtshoorn, located in the Little Karoo region of the Western Cape Province. Three additional Relay events are planned for 2007.